Study in United Kingdom

The multicultural aspect is one of the key contributors that draws multiple international students to pursue their higher studies in UK. With a diverse cultural base nearing 5 lakh international students, the county has always been friendly and welcoming. 

The UK is home to some of the most prestigious and well-ranked universities in the world. The high academic standards, highly skilled academic staff and research output are well recognised globally and are bound to shape your  career for the best.

The country offers a host of educational, social, and career opportunities, thus making it a preferred study destination. Anyone deciding to study in UK cannot go wrong with their choice. 

For an international student wanting to study in England, here’s a quick overview of all the essential factors to consider:  

UK is considered to be the second most popular study abroad destination for overseas students. Apart from the quality education, there are multiple other benefits of studying in UK. Given below are the top reasons to study in UK for international students:

• UK is home to well-ranked universities. The decision to study in England at the top universities increases a student’s chance to be hired by top companies.
• UK study abroad programs are diverse. Each program is the right blend of theory, practicality, and expert guidance, thus preparing students for the corporate world.
• To retain the high education standards, UK’s educational system undergoes a regular check by the Quality Assurance Agency.
• Students studying in UK can work part-time for up to 20 hours a week during term time. This not only helps them alleviate the financial burden but also helps in gaining valuable work experience.
• Teachers in UK come from a qualified background and are experts in the subjects they teach. Their global network benefits international students in terms of exposure to better opportunities.

Once UK students complete their 12th studies, the next step would be to pursue higher education. The higher education system in UK is provided by universities. Here are the 3 types of degrees provided under the British higher education system:

• Undergraduate Degree: UG is an undergraduate degree that is also referred to as a Bachelor’s degree. It is a full-time course with a duration of 3 to 4 years. Students can also pursue a joint honours degree where students can study two or three major subjects instead of one. 

• Masters Degree:  A Masters Degree study duration is between 1-2 years based on the subject choice.

• Ph.D. Degree: Ph.D. or doctorate programs are courses that can be studied either full-time or part-time. The study duration is between 3-6 years depending on the subjects. 

In UK, higher education is provided by universities and they have the power to grant degrees. Here’s a quick look at the types of universities in UK:

Credit System in UK

UK follows a credit system to monitor, record as well as encourage an easy movement between courses and institutions. In general, one UK credit equates to 10 hours of work. Students have to accumulate credits per program to be able to acquire a degree. 

An online option is needed to study in UK for Indian students. To apply for UK university, follow the steps below:

1. Decide which university and course you wish to study in UK
2. Based on the course chosen, visit the official website of the university that offers the course and apply there
3. Once you receive the acceptance letter from the universities you applied to, accept the ones that suit your interests well 
4. Prepare for your educational funding such as scholarships, loans, etc.
5. Start applying for your student visa.
6. Once approved, book your accommodations, travel tickets, etc

UK University Requirements For International Students

To apply to a university course in UK, you need to ensure that the below UK university admission requirements are met: 

The cost of living in UK depends on your lifestyle. The factors that will determine your cost of living are accommodation, transport, food, etc. The average cost of living in UK is discussed below:

There are multiple cities to study in UK. From educational factors to the living conditions, these are the top 5 best-preferred student destinations to consider in UK for further education. 

To apply for a UK student visa, the process to be followed is simple. Once you receive a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) certificate from the university, you can apply for a student visa. To apply for UK student visa, follow this step by step guide:

1. Determine the type of Visa you require – Short term or Tier 4 
2. Apply for the student visa under the respective visa category.
3. You are required to attend a visa interview as per the university rules.
4. You need to get a screening test done for Tuberculosis.
5. If you’re going to stay in UK for more than 6 months, you have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.
6. Once you’ve filled in your visa application, you need to send in your biometric information after which your visa will be processed.
7. The process for a student visa is 3 weeks and can be extended based on your visa application.

Ensure for your visa interview, you are reaching 30 minutes prior to the interview time.

Scholarships are a great source of funding for international students. There are multiple scholarships for international students in UK. Some of them are government-funded while the rest are non-government-funded. Apart from this, even universities offer scholarships options. Some top scholarships for Indian students in UK are:

Chevening Scholarships

• International Students pursuing Masters in any UK universities
• Amount/Benefit: Covers tuition fees, travel, and other allowances

Euraxees UK

• Students pursuing research programs such as PhD.
• Amount/Benefit: 100% Funded and covers air tickets, books, medical insurance, and accommodation.

Commonwealth Scholarships

• Students pursuing Full-time Masters degree in selective courses
• Amount/Benefit: Covers tuition, examination fees, airfare, thesis grants, study travel grant, excess baggage/ warm clothing allowance, and a stipend of £1,116 per month for those studying in London’s metropolitan areas.

Felix Scholarships

• Indian students pursuing Masters/Research programs in a UK University (except Medicine)
• Amount/Benefit: 100% Funded Tuition fees and Stipend

Clarendon Fund Scholarships

• International students pursuing  Masters/Ph.D. degrees at Oxford University
• Amount/Benefit: Fully funded coverage on course fees and grants for living expenses

Denys Holland Scholarship at UCL

• Students pursuing Undergraduate Studies
• Amount/Benefit: £9,000 per year for 3 years

University of Westminster International Scholarships

• Students pursuing full-time Masters degree in any subject (except MBA)

Amount/Benefit: Covers tuition fees, flights charges, accommodation, and living expenses.

International students have several job opportunities in UK after Masters. Right before expiry of a student visa, you can apply for a Graduate visa wherein students can stay for a minimum of two years after completing a course. These two years will give you time to find the right job. 

Job Outlook for International Students after Studies

Here is a quick look at the top fields that offer job opportunities in UK after masters:

Work Visa & PR in UK

As stated above, a Graduate visa can help international students get a UK work visa that can help them stay for 2 years after their course. For Ph.D. holders, the stay is up to 3 years.

If you’re looking to extend your stay, apply for the Skilled Worker visa. On this visa, you are eligible to work with an approved employer and can stay in the UK accordingly. 

With this visa, you are eligible to apply for PR as well. To be applicable for PR in UK, ensure the below checklists are met:

• Lived and worked in UK for 5 years
• Meet the salary requirements
• Prove that your skills matter for the job position

When applying for PR, you need to pay a fee of £2,389. The process will take up to 6 months. If you wish to seek an immediate reply, you need to pay an additional £500- £800.  Availing PR in the UK opens a wider door to better career opportunities as well as other benefits the UK provides to its residents. 

Choosing to pursue higher studies in UK can dramatically improve your access to excellent education and quality life. For this  reason, the UK has always been a preferred student destination among international students. If you too are thinking of moving to UK for higher education, you have picked the right destination. To seek better assistance on going forward with your decision to study in UK, get in touch with  counsellors today!

Ques: What are the new visa regulations changes for international students in the UK?

Ans: According to the latest regulations, starting from international students graduating in 2020-21 will get post-work study rights in the UK. This means that their visa will be extended for two years after their study. Unlike for the past students, they will not have to depend on a single employer to apply for their visa.

Ques: When should I apply for UK Universities for a master’s course?

Ans: You will need to apply the latest by June or July (check each university’s deadlines separately). The classes start in September End or October beginning. To be safe, apply four months in advance.

Ques: Can I pursue a part-time post-graduate course in the UK?

Ans: If you need a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK (unlike national and European students), you can only pursue a full – time course.

Ques: How much are the tuition fees for international students to study Masters in the UK?

Ans: The average cost of study may be about 11000-20,000 a year. Details about the overall cost of education in the UK can be found here.

Ques: What is the difference between ‘ordinary’ and ‘honors’ degrees for undergrad in UK?

Ans: Ordinary degrees imply that a student has completed all the classes. Additionally Hons. Degree tells about the achieved level of scores. This depends on a university.

Ques: Do I need a compulsory need to give Visa Interview?

Ans: VISA interview is conditional. UKBA has reintroduced visa interviews, so students applying for a UK visa may be asked to appear for an interview with the visa officers. Those who have once declined a visa or whose scores on standardized tests are low are more likely to be chosen for a visa interview.

Ques: In what cases will a visa get rejected?

Ans: Due to insufficient funds or incorrect financial evidence, your visa may be rejected.

Ques: What funds do I require to procure a UK Visa?

Ans: You need to pay for the first academic year tuition fees mentioned on your CAS. Additionally, you should have funds for supporting your living expenses for the first 9 months in the UK (£1265 per month for inner London, £1015 per month otherwise).

Ques: What types of financial proofs can I show for funds?

Ans: This may be a student loan from a bank, government scholarship, if you have any financial sponsorship from an international organization as per UKVI, bank account statement or bank letter under you or your parent’s names.

Ques: Can I get a student loan from the UK government?

Ans: No, the UK government doesn’t provide loans to non-EU students.

Ques: Can I pursue a part-time post-graduate course in the UK?

Ans: The university can sponsor for a part-time Tier 4 Visa for part-time postgraduate degrees.

Ques: How much are the tuition fees for international students to study Masters in the UK?

Ans: For Masters students, the tuition fees are around £10,500 to 33,500 a year.

Ques: What are the different types of Master courses offered in the UK?

Ans: Taught Masters and Research masters are offered in the UK.

Ques: What is the duration of the Masters in the UK?

Ans: It is around 1-2 years in the UK.

Ques: Name 5 top universities in the UK for engineering.

Ans: According to U.S. News and World Report, these are Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, University of Manchester, University of Nottingham and University of Oxford.

Ques: Which are the four regions included in the UK?

Ans: They are England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Ques: Describe the climates across the UK.

Ans: It has a temperate climate. The extreme weather is rare. The summers and winters are not towards unpleasant sides in the UK.

Ques: Mention five popular courses to study in the UK.

Ans: These are Business and Administrative Studies (MBA), Engineering & Tech (B.Tech., M.Tech.), Social Sciences (B.A, M.A in History, M.Phil.), Creative Arts & Design (Graphic, Film, Media) and Law (LLB, LLM).

Ques: What is the M.Phil course which is popular in the UK?

Ans: This is a Master in Philosophy course which is a research degree.

Ques: Name 3 popular scholarships popular in UK?

Ans: These are Chevening Scholarships, Commonwealth Masters Scholarships and Gates Cambridge Scholarships.

Ques: What is the Masters with placement option?

Ans: These are Masters Courses that have integrated work options. Work in an organization is part of the entire coursework. This adds to students’ resumes.

Ques: Which universities in the UK require GRE scores?

Ans: The London School of Economics requires GRE. But requirement of GRE is university and program specific.

Ques: How long can I stay in the UK after the completion of MS?

Ans: You can stay for two years after completing your course in the UK.

Ques: What is the point-based system for a UK work visa introduced recently?

Ans: There is a list of doctors on a panel suggested by Australian government from which you can get your medical examination done.

Ques: What’s the difference between a taught and research Masters?

Ans: Most Masters Degrees are taught courses, consisting of lectures and seminars followed by a dissertation project. Research Masters involves much more independent work, but the exact difference between a taught and research Masters varies. An MRes (Master of Research) usually involves longer (or multiple) dissertation tasks. An MPhil (Master of Philosophy) is entirely research-based and may form part of a Ph.D.. Research Masters are less common outside the UK.

Ques: What are the most popular subjects for a Masters?

Ans: The most popular postgraduate subjects in the UK are: Business Studies, Education, Nursing, Economics, and Biological Sciences. There is a huge range of Masters Degrees out there though, so take the time to find the right one for your interests and career plans.

Ques: What GPA do you need for a Masters?

Ans: Universities in the USA may look at your undergraduate GPA (grade point average) score when considering Master’s degree applications. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is usually considered ‘good’ – and is roughly equivalent to a UK 2.1. Universities in the UK and Europe don’t usually use the GPA system.

Ques: Can students work during studies in the UK?

Ans: All students with Tier 4 visa are allowed to work for 20 hours per week during an ongoing session and full-time during vacations. Doctorate students can work full-time throughout the year.

Ques: What are Sandwich courses for bachelors in UK?

Ans: Usually business, engineering and science related subjects are offered for these programs. You can go to a university’s website and check for such courses. Some examples include Bath, Lancaster, Surrey, Loughborough and Aston.

Ques: What are the types of Sandwich courses?

Ans: These are thick (a year long) and thin courses(2-6 months).

Ques: Do I get any payment during placement in a Sandwich course?

Ans: Legally, you are not entitled to get a pay. However, if a company wishes to pay you it can do that. It usually pays £10,000 to £17,000 a year.

Ques: In what cases do my bachelors degree be converted as hons. degree?

Ans: You need to pass three years of your bachelors with at least third class passing marks to get a hons. degree.

Ques: Name some bachelor’s degree courses I can study in UK.

Ans: You can study Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Education (BEd) and Bachelor of Engineering (BEng).

Ques: Is Scottish masters of Arts a bachelor’s degree?

Ans: Yes, although the name is confusing, Scottish Masters of Arts is not a graduate masters but an undergraduate degree.

Ques: How many courses can I find on UCAS for my undergraduate degree in UK?

Ans: More than 50,000 undergraduate courses can be found on UCAS website.

Ques: Where can I search for undergraduate courses on UCAS?

Ans: You can follow this link to search for undergraduate courses on UCAS in UK.

Ques: What terminology is followed in UK for undergraduate degree?

Ans: These include Level 4 or Certificate (C) for one year of undergraduate study, Level 5 or Intermediate (I) for two years of study and Level 6 or Honours (H) for three or four years of study.